August 16, 2011
Press Release
PAUL W. SMITH GOLF CLASSIC RAISES $487,000 FOR THINK DETROIT PAL
Detroit, Mich – Think Detroit PAL is the beneficiary of $487,000 that was raised at the 8th Annual Paul W. Smith Golf Classic on August 15. The tournament achieved Paul W. Smith’s goal of raising more money than the previous year’s event, a target that has been reached each year since the inaugural tournament. Smith was humble and grateful for the support the tournament has received.
“I’m just going to friends who are good people that want to help out, and trying to show them one way they can help out by helping Think Detroit PAL,” Smith explained.
The event, which took place at the Detroit Golf Club, featured 18 holes of golf for the 260 participants, a golf clinic for Think Detroit PAL girls and boys, entertainment from TDP cheerleaders, and a banquet dinner. Nine year Think Detroit PAL participant Imani Gunn addressed the attendees at the banquet with a speech that emphasized what Think Detroit PAL has meant to her.
The tournament has raised nearly $3 million net for Think Detroit PAL, and its 10,000 girls and boys over the last eight years. Think Detroit PAL CEO Michael Porter said that the tournament has had a profound impact on the organization.
“The continued generosity and support that we have received from Paul W. Smith, News Talk 760 WJR, and the event’s sponsors has enabled us to continue making Think Detroit PAL programs affordable for the boys and girls of Detroit.”
Smith mentioned that it is easy to get behind an organization like Think Detroit PAL.
“It’s a wonderful organization that is not giving a handout, but a hand-up,” Smith said. “It provides an opportunity that the kids wouldn’t have had otherwise to experience some of the experiences in life that some of us take for granted. It helps them, and it therefore helps our community."
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing was a guest at the tournament and said that the tournament promotes a cause that everyone can rally around and builds a sense of community.
“The turnout is great – People are coming out to support this program and to support the city,” Mayor Bing said. “Our young people need to take a look at this and understand that people do care about them, people do love them. You don’t have to know somebody on a personal basis to care about them, to support them. That’s what this is about. It’s a mix of suburbs and city, it’s a mix of the races, all of this is very positive.”
Presenting Sponsors:
Ford Motor Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Compuware Corporation
The Chrysler Foundation
General Motors
Detroit International Bridge Company
Photos: Gallery 1 Gallery 2 Gallery 3
Think Detroit PAL was formed in 2006 with the merger of Think Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League. In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Think Detroit PAL builds character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs. In 2010, Think Detroit PAL served over 10,000 girls and boys through 10 sports, making it one of the largest youth organizations in the state of Michigan. More than 80 cents of each dollar donated to Think Detroit PAL goes directly into programming
For more information, please visit http://www.thinkdetroitpal.org or call 313-833-1600.
|
